Marie Antoinette - Leading a life of tragedy
Maria Antonia Josepha Johana von Habsburg-Lothringen was better known as Marie Antoinette. She was the queen of France and the Archduchess of Austria. She was born on November 2, 1755, and died on October 16, 1793 when she was just 37 years old. She lead quite an eventful life before she died, and will go down in history as one of the greatest queens ever to reign.
Marie Antoinette was the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and his wife Empress Regnant Maria Theresa of Austria. She was married to Louis XVI of France at the age of 14. She was guillotined at the height of the French Revolution in 1793and was interred with her husband in the royal crypt at Saint Dennis Basilica in Paris.
The marriage to Dauphin Louis-Auguste was conducted within hours of Marie Antoinette arriving in her new home of Versailles. Her husband being only a year older than she, was shy, and knew little of his duties as a husband. Neither one knew what to do on their marriage night. No one had explained to them what they were supposed to do on their wedding night, so they had increased awkwardness between them.
Since they were not having sexual intercourse, the couple remained childless for the first seven years of their marriage. Their marriage became known as a Royal sham. She eventually became known as the King’s mistress to the world. Marie Antoinette’s life became a living hell because the King’s paramour, Madame Du Barry was jealous of her.
On May 10, 1774, their lives changed suddenly when King Louis XV died of small pox. The new king and queen fell on their knees in prayer, with Louis saying ” Dear God guide and protect us. We are too young to reign.” Marie Antoinette wiped away her tears and stood with her husband to greet the courtiers who had come to pledge loyalty to them.
Marie Antoinette gave birth to the first of her four children on December 19, 1778, despite rumors that she was having an affair with her brother-in-law. Their daughter was christened Marie Therese Charlotte. She was called Madame Royale, since she was the oldest daughter of the King of France. She followed with three more children over the next few years. They were Louis Joseph, born in 1781, Louis Charles, born in 1785, and Sophie Beatrix in 1786.
Marie Antoinette always showed French style in her dress. She had a great and wild lifestyle full of beautiful costumes. As she grew, she became much less extravagant. She now spent more time and energy on her children.
Within two years, both of two of her children had died. She was lonely and miserable without two of her children. She began to withdraw from any public activity. She wanted time away from the public.
During the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette and her husband were captured in a series of unchangeable events. They were held captive in their own home. Louis was tried for treason on December 11, 1792. He was condemned to death on January 17, 1793. Shortly after this, Marie Antoinette was also tried and convicted. On October 16, 1793, she was beheaded in front of a huge crowd in Versailles. It was the end of their empire.
Most people had not admired Marie Antoinette during her reign. She was a good woman dedicated to her family and her beliefs on all accounts. She was just a little ahead of her time. She never gave up her beliefs, even when she was faced with death.